Rabbi Azriel Schreiber
855 answers
Whenever possible, JewishAnswers.org tries to include the name of the author on every post. However, at certain times, we make significant changes to the answers posted. In that case, we will often sign the post with our generic “pen name” – Rabbi Azriel Schreiber. This “pen name” may also be used when a writer declines to have his name published.
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Holding Hands when Praying
Do we hold hands when we pray? Holding hands when people pray as a group is definitely not a Jewish custom; in fact, people who are praying shouldn’t stand too close to one another so they don’t interfere with each…
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Changing Sabbath to Sunday
When and why did the Christians change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday? Changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday (the day on which Jesus was said to have been resurrected) was debated for a long time — as far…
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The Tenth of Nisan
Should we celebrate on the tenth of Nisan? The tenth of Nisan isn’t celebrated in any special way nowadays, but at the time of the Exodus it was the day on which the Hebrews put aside lambs for the Passover…
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Chanukah
What is Chanukah? Chanukah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the successful revolt of the Jews against the Syrians around 150 BCE, and their establishment of a Jewish kingdom in Palestine. The word means “dedication”, referring to the purification and…
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The Omer
What was the omer? How was it counted? The Omer was a measure of barley (see Ex.16:36) that was offered on the day after Passover (Lev.23:9-14). Seven weeks were then counted, starting on that day; the 50th day was then…
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Polygamy
When was polygamy abolished for Jews? Polygamy was abolished for European Jews about 1000 years ago by a decree issued by R.Gershom of Mayence, who was the major European Rabbinical authority of that generation. It was never abolished for other…
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Accidentally Causing a Miscarriage
How is a person punished of he accidentally causes a woman to miscarry? Answer: The Midrash Mechilta explains the passage in Ex.21:22-23 as follows: If the mother lives, the person who caused the miscarriage pays a fine of 100 pieces…
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When Abortion is Permitted
Does Jewish law permit abortion? Since life begins at conception, abortion isn’t permitted even at the early stages of pregnancy. However, it’s permitted to kill someone in self-defense. Jewish law therefore permits abortion if carring the child to term would…
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A Woman Selling her Eggs
Can a Jewish woman sell her eggs to a non-Jewish couple? The child born from a Jewish woman’s egg may be Jewish, and it’s not allowed to turn a Jewish child over to non-Jews.